Angle adjustable holder

ABSTRACT

An angle adjustable holder comprises a base, a holding element, a first friction element, a second friction element, a springiness element, a bearing element, a first combination element and a second combination element. The base has a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion. The first friction element has a first friction surface, and the second friction element has a second friction surface. The second friction surface and the first friction surface are in contact. The first combination element passes through the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion, the pivotally connecting portion of the holding element, the bearing element, and the springiness element. The second combination element is combined with the first combination element such that the springiness forces the first friction surface to contact the second friction surface for providing a resistance when the holding element is pivotally rotated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to a holder and, in particular, to an angle adjustable holder.

2. Related Art

With the advances in information and technology revolution, mobile communications have become indispensable part of out life. They bring us convenient life and shorten the distance between us. People are thus allowed to communicate at any time, making the whole earth a global village. In this era, we cannot emphasize the importance of mobile communications too much. Such mobile communications include, for example, 1 G AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone Service), 2 G GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication), 2.5 G GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), and 3 G UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) and CDMA2000.

Take the global positioning system (GPS) as an example. Users usually put them on the dashboard inside cars. However, if the GPS is not fixed during the motion of the vehicle, the reception angle cannot be maintained at its optimal position. Moreover, the GPS may be damaged if it falls.

Therefore, it is imperative to provide a GPS base so that the GPS can be fixed with an adjustable angle during the motion of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, the invention is to provide an angle adjustable holder that is cheap and convenient in use.

To achieve the above, an angle adjustable holder of the invention includes a base, a holding element, a first friction element, a second friction element, a springiness element, a bearing element, a first combination element, and a second combination element. The base has a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion. The first connecting portion has a first through hole and the second connecting portion has a second through hole. The holding element carries an external device and has a pivotally connecting portion. The pivotally connecting portion pivotally connects to the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. The first friction element, which has a first friction surface, is disposed in the first through hole. The second friction element, which has a second friction surface, is disposed in the pivotally connecting portion. The first friction surface is in contact with the second friction surface. The springiness element is disposed inside the pivotally connecting portion for forcing the first surface to contact the second surface. The bearing element is disposed in the second through hole. The first combination element passes through the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion, the pivotally connecting portion, the bearing element, and the springiness element. The second combination element is used to connect with the first combination element to compress the springiness element. Thus, the first friction surface is forced to contact the second friction surface so as to provide the resistance when the holding element is pivotally rotated.

As mentioned above, the angle adjustable holder of the invention uses a holding element to support an external device and has a pivotally connecting portion for pivotally connecting to the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. The first friction element and the second friction element provide a frictional force for the holder to support the external device. If the external device needs to be adjusted to achieve its best performance, the user can adjust its angle as demands.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below illustration only, and thus is not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one part of an angle adjustable holder according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic views of parts of the angle adjustable holder according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein an adhesive portion is a Velcro in FIG. 2A and is a ratchet in FIG. 2B;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the angle adjustable holder according to the preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic views of the angle adjustable holder according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same references relate to the same elements.

As shown in FIG. 1, an angle adjustable holder according to a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a base 20, a holding element 30, a first friction element 41, a second friction element 42, a springiness element 50, a bearing element 60, a first combination element 70, and a second combination element 75. The disclosed angle adjustable holder further includes an adhesive portion 80 and a covering element 90.

The base 20 has a first connecting portion 201 and a second connecting portion 202 to support both ends of the bearing element 60. In this embodiment, the first connecting portion 201 has a first through hole 211, and the second connecting portion 202 has a second through hole 212.

The holding element 30 carries an external device and has a pivotally connecting portion 302. The pivotally connecting portion 302 pivotally connects to the first connecting portion 201 and the second connecting portion 202 of the base 20. In this embodiment, the holding element 30 further includes a holding portion 301 for carrying a global positioning system (GPS) 100 (FIG. 4B). Of course, the disclosed angle adjustable holder can carry any other suitable external device, not limit to GPS.

With reference to FIG. 3, the first friction element 41, which has a first friction surface 411, is disposed in the first through hole 211. The second friction element 42, which has a second friction surface 421, is disposed in the pivotally connecting portion 302. The first friction surface 411 is in contact with the second friction surface 421. The springiness element 50 is disposed inside the pivotally connecting portion 302. In this embodiment, the springiness element 50 is a spring. The first friction element 41 and the second friction element 42 are ratchets. The friction surfaces on the ratchets are formed with several crests 451 and troughs 452 (FIG. 2B). The friction surfaces of the two ratchets face each other, forcing the crests 451 to contact the troughs 452. During the pivotal rotation, a step-wise adjustment effect is achieved because of the crests 451 and the troughs 452.

The bearing element 60 is disposed in the second through hole 212 to provide a supporting point of the pivotally connecting portion 302 of the holder 30.

The first combination element 70 passes through the first connecting portion 41 in the fist through hole 211, the second connecting portion 42 of the pivotally connecting portion 302, the springiness element 50, the bearing element 60, and the second through hole 212 of the second connecting portion 202. The second combination element 75 is combined with the first combination element 70 to fix the above-mentioned elements between the first connecting portion 201 an d the second connecting portion 202, forcing a contact between the first friction surface and the second friction surface and providing the necessary resistance when the holding element 30 is pivotally rotated. In this embodiment, the first combination element 70 is a screw and the second combination element 75 is a screw nut.

The adhesive portion 80 is installed on the base 20 to attach the holder to a surface, such as a desktop or a windshield of a car. In this embodiment, the adhesive portion 80 is a sucker connecting to the base 20 in a method according to needs. A corresponding connecting hole 22 is formed on the base 20 for the installation of the adhesive portion 80 on the base 20. As shown in FIG. 2A, the adhesive portion is a Velcro 80′, tape, or any other adhesive material.

The covering element 90 is installed on the outer side of the first connecting portion 201 and the second connecting portion 202, covering the first combination element 70 of the first connecting portion 201 and the second combination element 75 of the second connecting portion 202. This beautifies the appearance of the invention and protects the elements therein from being carelessly touched and loosened.

The assembling of the disclosed angle adjustable holder according to the preferred embodiment of the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 3.

First, the first friction element 41 is disposed in the first through hole 211 and the second friction element 42 is disposed in the pivotally connecting portion 302. The first friction surface 411 of the first friction element 41 and the second friction surface 421 of the second friction element 42 are disposed on opposite sides. The pivotally connecting portion 302 is disposed between the first through hole 211 and the second through hole 212. Afterwards, the springiness element 50 is disposed in the pivotally connecting portion 302 via the second through hole 212. The bearing element 60 is disposed in the second through hole. The first combination element 70 passes in sequence the first friction element 41 inside the first through hole 211, the second friction element 42 inside the pivotally connecting portion 302, the springiness element 50, the bearing element 60, and the second through hole 212 of the second connecting portion 202. The second combination element 75 is connected to the first combination element 70 via one side of the first through hole 211. Finally, the covering element 90 is provided on the outer side of the first through hole 211 and the second through hole 212. Finally, the adhesive portion 80 and the base are coupled together. This completes the assembly of the disclosed angle adjustable holder (FIG 4A).

In summary, the disclosed angle adjustable holder uses a holding element to support an external device, such as a global positioning system (GPS). A pivotally connecting portion pivotally connects to the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. The first friction element and the second friction element provide a frictional force for the holder to support the external device. If the external device needs to be adjusted to achieve its best performance, the user can adjust its angle. Since the device is comprised of cheap elements, such as ratchets, springs, and screws, the invention is more competitive in price.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover all modifications that fall within the true scope of the invention. 

1. An angle adjustable holder, comprising: a base having a first connecting portion with a first through hole and a second connecting portion with a second through hole; a holding element for carrying an external device, wherein the holding element comprises a pivotally connecting portion pivotally connecting to the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion of the base; a first friction element having a first friction surface and installed inside the first through hole; a second friction element having a second friction surface and installed inside the pivotally connecting portion, wherein the second friction surface and the first friction surface are in contact; a springiness element disposed inside the pivotally connecting portion; a bearing element disposed inside the second through hole; a first combination element passing through the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion, the pivotally connecting portion, the bearing element, and the springiness element; and a second combination element combined with the first combination element such that the springiness forces the first friction surface to contact the second friction surface so as to provide a resistance when the holding element is pivotally rotated.
 2. The angle adjustable holder of claim 1, wherein the first friction element and the second friction element are ratchets.
 3. The angle adjustable holder of claim 1, wherein the springiness element is a spring.
 4. The angle adjustable holder of claim 1, further comprising: an adhesive portion disposed on the base to adhere the angle adjustable holder onto a surface.
 5. The angle adjustable holder of claim 4, wherein the adhesive portion comprises a sucker.
 6. The angle adjustable holder of claim 4, wherein the adhesive portion comprises a Velcro.
 7. The angle adjustable holder of claim 1, further comprising: a covering element disposed on the outer sides of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion of the base.
 8. The angle adjustable holder of claim 1, wherein the first combination element is a screw.
 9. The angle adjustable holder of claim 1, wherein the second combination element is a screw nut.
 10. The angle adjustable holder of claim 1, wherein the holding element further comprises: a holding portion for carrying the external device.
 11. An angle adjustable holder, comprising: a base having a first connecting portion with a first through hole and a second connecting portion with a second through hole; a holding element for carrying an external device, wherein the holding element comprises a pivotally connecting portion pivotally connecting to the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion of the base; a first friction element installed inside the first through hole, wherein the first friction element has a first friction surface; a second friction element installed inside the pivotally connecting portion, wherein the second friction element has a second friction surface contacting the first friction surface; a springiness element disposed inside the pivotally connecting portion; a bearing element disposed inside the second through hole; a screw passing through the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion, the pivotally connecting portion, the bearing element, and the springiness element; and a screw nut combined with the screw such that the springiness forces the first friction surface to contact the second friction surface so as to provide a resistance when the holding element is pivotally rotated.
 12. The angle adjustable holder of claim 11, wherein the first friction element and the second friction element are ratchets.
 13. The angle adjustable holder of claim 11, wherein the springiness element is a spring.
 14. The angle adjustable holder of claim 11, further comprising: an adhesive portion disposed on the base to adhere the angle adjustable holder onto a surface.
 15. The angle adjustable holder of claim 14, wherein the adhesive portion comprises a sucker.
 16. The angle adjustable holder of claim 14, wherein the adhesive portion comprises a Velcro.
 17. The angle adjustable holder of claim 11, further comprising: a covering element disposed on the outer sides of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion of the base.
 18. The angle adjustable holder of claim 11, wherein the external device is a mobile communication device.
 19. The angle adjustable holder of claim 18, wherein the mobile communication device is a global positioning system (GPS).
 20. The angle adjustable holder of claim 11, wherein the holding element further comprises: a holding portion for carrying the external device. 